grammar · academic
whether ... or ...
Used to introduce alternatives or in indirect questions to mean 'if it is the case that one thing or another'.
Examples
“I don't know whether she will accept the offer or not.”
“Whether we like it or not, technology is changing the workplace.”
“Deciding whether to invest now or wait is difficult.”
Band 8 sentence
“Whether policymakers choose to prioritise short-term growth or long-term sustainability will determine the country's trajectory for decades.”
Collocations
- whether ... or not
- decide whether to + verb
Common mistakes
I don't know if she will come or not.→I don't know whether she will come or not.
I'm deciding whether to go or not to go.→I'm deciding whether to go or not.
Say it for a higher band
5if→6if/whether→7+whether ... or ...
Synonyms
if (in informal speech)
Easily confused
if
“I wonder if he will come to the meeting.”
Related words
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In Tenses
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